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This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
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964 m (3162 ft)
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This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.
Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.
NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).
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NG47162531
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An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
| Stature |
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191 of 283 Munros |
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The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
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1
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Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
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Rocky peak of the young men |
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The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.
You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.
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OS Landranger Maps Required |
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| Only £6.29 (£11.69 Laminated) from |  |
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Sgurr nan Gillean is one of the most northerly peaks on the Black Cuillin Ridge, and one of the finest with its sharply pointed summit. The Cuillin are composed of gabbro rock which gives wonderful grip even when wet, but these mountains have narrow ridges and pointed summits which require scrambling or even rock-climbing to reach the summit. The ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean commences in Coire Riabach NNE of the summit and continues on rock and scree on the E face of the mountain to reach the SE ridge. From here the ascent is a scramble and the summit is very very small with lots of exposure!
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Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr nan Gillean include
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| Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags on or near ascent routes. |
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| Crags near summit. |
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| Narrow Ridges, with exposure. |
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| Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock. |
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| Magnetic rock, compass bearings inacurate. |
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General Considerations
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| Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent. |
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| Wind usually increases with altitude. |
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| Visibility can change markedly with cloud level. |
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| River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day. |
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Climb a Munro
Climb a Munro this year and help raise money for charity. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for details
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Looking down the south-east ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean to Sgurr Beag, with very narrow Sgurr na h-Uamha beyond in shadow. The ascent route reaches the ridge just below this viewpoint.
© David S Brown
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Image by David S Brown
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 - 1st of August 2005min.jpg "Sgurr nan Gillean - Click to enlarge")
Sgùrr nan Gillean from Sligachan (1) - 1st of August 2005
© Adrie Mallegrom
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Image by Adrie Mallegrom
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Start of the ascent of Sgurr nan Gillean: arrival at the lip of Coire Riabach. The route enters and crosses the upper part of the Coire to gain the east face below the pinnacle ridge, which is directly in line with the summit in this view.
© David S Brown
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Image by David S Brown
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A party of climbers roping up onto Sgurr nan Gillean's west ridge by the easiest route: the Tooth Arete (crest just to right of party, graded 'Moderate' rock climb). Forget ideas of traversing Gillean after a Tourist Route ascent if you're a walker!
© David S Brown
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Image by David S Brown
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Like the idea of a more mobile base for your next Munro?
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Ascent
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Distance
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Time
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Including...
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Description
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Rating
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1
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955 m
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11.71 km
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4 hrs
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Sgurr nan Gillean
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A route for scramblers only with considerable exposure. You are recommended to purchase and study a higher scale map of the Black Cuillin of Skye before attempting an ascent.
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Me and Andy on top after completing Pinnacle Ridge, Great fun!
© Mark Thomson
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Image by Mark Thomson
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The lads at the summit of a very wet day.
© John Frew
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Image by John Frew
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The last one of the day .... Sgurr nan Gillean. Young men of the hills !!!!
© Calum Dinnes
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Image by Calum Dinnes
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Climbed Sgurr Nan Gillean by Pinnacle Ridge, great route up but only for climbers as the abseil is fairly serious. The descent down the Tourist route is interesting as well, a great mountaineering day, As normal for Skye a bit loose in places.
© David Whalley
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Image by David Whalley
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| Showing the most recent 5 of 9 comments. Would you like to view all 9? |
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Aidan Harris
wrote on
August 26, 2010
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Climbed the tourist route in good weather. A good path rises from the hotel, crossing two bridges before entering the corrie. The path remains fairly obvious, punctuated by some small cairns, up the corrie wall of scree and boulder. Once on the shoulder continue NW upwards via scrambling. The last ten meters to the summit is extremely challenging for anyone without ropes (me!). I approached from the south side, with some terrifying handholds and crawling over large boulders to the top. Be prepared to turn back within sight of the summit if you are not up for some rock climbing!
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Roger Green
wrote on
April 26, 2007
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Climbed via the West ridge in poor weather. I have to say the exposure was terrifying - in some ways worse than the In Pinn itself. Many scrambling moves that felt decidely dodgy, over hideous exposure. A good head for heights and climbing expereince are very much required for this route.
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David S Brown
wrote on
May 23, 2006
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Sometime in recent years the once notoriously boggy beginning of 'The Tourist Route' (as mentioned in my Route Review) has been greatly improved. On my recent ascent of Am Basteir (via the tourist route as far as the lip of Coire Riabach, then branched right) it was bone dry and a really good track! (Incidentally: the comment below on this page by David Brown is from another member: he's bagged far more than me, and I'm the photographer, hope that's not confusing!)
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Craig Johnstone
wrote on
July 10, 2005
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Having never climbed a hill before, let alone a munro, I found this somewhat challenging and am rather surprised to still be alive at the end of it all, still, nice view fom the top though!!
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Marion Kraus
wrote on
September 28, 2003
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Nice one. I found the description of the scrambling part a bit exaggerated, but maybe a woman smaller than me (5 ft 11) could have some problems. Anyway, the scramble was a lot easier than the Aonach Eagach (great experience, nice ridge!) in Glencoe, at it was a lot less exposed than I expected it to be. The summit is not THAT small, I wouldn't call it pointy. Be careful when you're approaching from the ridge between Sgurr Beag and Sgurr nan Gillean, keep to the left to reach the summit, that's a lot easier and less exposed than following the top of the ridge.
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There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Sgurr nan Gillean
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 - 1st of August 2005.jpg "Sgurr nan Gillean - Click to enlarge")
